Tom Thumb bit

[jenbleep]

Hello

I was speaking to a friend yesterday re: bits (I posted on here yesterday) and she couldn't recommend this bit highly enough. I thought I'd ask you guys what you thought too because I would get more of a range of opinions on here!

What type of horse what this be suitable for? Advantages/disadvantages? Etc.

I'm not sure if it would be suitable for C but I'd like to hear what you think

Thanks all

 

[woodlandswow]

i had a 14hh small irish WHP who was ab fab! .. only thing, he was terribly strong, however, this bit did the trick, he worked well and just carried his head lightly in a good carriage...worked wonders, finished off with him xc in a snaffle!!

 

[emm0r]

I love them Along with Copper Roller D Ring snaffles !!

 

[LEC]

I have the scrob mouthpiece and you have to be careful as it can cut the mouth. Particularly found this on horses who keep fighting it or who get stronger and stronger. For me I am not a huge fan and prefer a 3 ring dutch gag over it.

 

[Farma]

I have one with the copper rollers - I am a huge fan of it and prefer it all day long over a 3 ring gag.
My boy can be a little (not alot) strong into jumps esp xc and it gives me that little bit extra in brakes that I need. I have used it on my mare when she has been sharp and she went fantastic in it aswell and she is very funny with her mouth.
Cant recommend it enough.

 

[hannahbanana]

My friend's brother rides his 13.1hh Welsh B in a Tom Thumb bit. It gives him far better brakes than a gag ever did and they mainly use a flash noseband now instead of a grackle

 

[star]

i've got the one with copper rollers and the one without and i need the one without to stop my Welshie out hunting as he's a complete loon and wants nothing more than to be up the front jumping whatever is in his way! However, it does just about provide me with some stopping power where nothing else worked so I really like it! I would say it's really strong though and I'd work through some other bits first before resorting to it.

 

[Tnavas]

Are you asking about the American Tom Thumb - rather like a curb bit or the plain snaffle Tom Thumb - sometimes called a full spoon snaffle?

 

[lucemoose]

 

[jenbleep]

Does this bit have a lowering or lifting action on the head? Lowering....?

People seem to have differing opinions on that

 

[TableDancer]

It is a gag and as such, if correctly fitted ie high enough in the mouth to work properly, will raise the head. I absolutely love them and use them often just for a few months on youngsters who have got a bit enthusiastic and are running onto their forehand in front of a fence. Frequently, as they mature and get more educated, I can go back to a snaffle, and I often end up using the snaffle version with the same mouthpiece - no idea what it's called However, an Advanced horse of mine finished his career running XC in a TT - he used to be in really strong bits (don't ask!!) but got a bit saner as he got older and by the end the TT suited him really well.

The TT is highly versatile as you can use it either way round, but if you use it with the copper bumps towards the jaw it is a LOT more severe than the other way round so beware, and also you can add a curb strap if you need a bit of extra brakes

 

[jenbleep]

Thanks for the clarification, TD. Lots of people on my other thread in NL say gags raise the head, others say they lower it! ????

I have used the snaffle version of this bit on C before, because she is very much on her forehand and can lean when she is unbalanced. I just didn't know if the gag version was overly strong, because Charisma is not what i would call a strong horse but if we gallop it does take a couple of reminders from me to stop her in time